My 63-Hour Fast: What Really Happened

I recently completed a 63-hour fast, and I wanted to share the raw, unfiltered version of my experience—not the Instagram-idealized one, but the real, human version. I'm in excellent physical shape because I train in pole dance, and I didn’t do this fast for weight loss. My intention was purely to support deep cellular cleansing and give my body space to reset.

Originally, I had planned to fast for 72 hours. But at hour 63, I felt clearly that my body had gone as far as it needed to. I made the conscious choice to stop there, knowing that it was the right moment for me. And I’m glad I did.

The First 24 Hours: Surprisingly Easy

The beginning was smooth. I felt light, focused, and almost euphoric. I drank water, green and herbal teas, stayed busy, and didn't experience any real hunger or discomfort. At this stage, it felt like I could fast forever. My body still had glycogen stores to rely on, and mentally, I was steady.

Hours 24 to 63: Fatigue, Stillness, and Surrender

After the 24-hour mark, everything changed. My energy dropped significantly. I wasn't hungry, but I felt extremely weak. I spent most of the remaining time in bed, watching TV. I didn’t have the strength or motivation to do anything else. My limbs felt heavy, and basic tasks like standing up or moving around felt like a workout. This part wasn’t magical or transcendent—it was about getting through.

During this period, I also experienced mild fevers for two days in a row. My body temperature rose to around 98.6°F (37°C) and then returned to normal without other symptoms. From what I’ve learned, this is not uncommon during fasting—especially when the immune system is recalibrating or finishing its response to a recent infection. A slight rise in temperature can signal that the body is actively engaging in repair and detoxification.

Coming Out of the Fast: Gentle but Revealing

I broke my fast gently with warm vegetable broth. That first sip felt like life coming back into my body. Over the next day or two, I added soft foods like oatmeal, fish, steamed vegetables, and fruits.

But here’s what surprised me: I didn’t feel true energy return until after I reintroduced sugar. Natural sugars like bananas and dates didn’t do the trick. I still felt weak, foggy, and emotionally flat. Only after I ate regular sugar at the end of day 4 did my energy come back online. My body was craving fast, accessible glucose—and it wasn’t until I gave it that, that I started to feel fully human again.

Final Thoughts

What I discovered through this fast is that, for me, fasting is a demanding process—physically, mentally, and emotionally. I wasn’t able to meditate, journal, or even connect with myself the way I hoped. I simply didn’t have the energy. And yet, deep down, I knew I needed it. I needed to go through this emptiness to feel cleared out.

And I did. But the sense of “clean” that I found wasn’t physical—it was mental. A kind of quiet clarity settled in after the experience was over, not during it. It wasn’t dramatic, it wasn’t blissful—it was just simple and still. Like a soft reset.

If you’re thinking about fasting, know that it might not feel like a revelation in the moment. But give your body space to guide you, and trust that the meaning might come later—subtle, quiet, and exactly what you needed.